Shouldn’t every town have a cuddle door?

Walk down Park Lane in Teddington and it’s like any other leafy residential street – except that you’re being watched by a pony looking over the cuddle door at the Stables.

This tradition started during lockdown as a way of giving vulnerable participants access to the ponies in a safe way while we were closed. But it’s become something we all love (including the ponies), and very symbolic of our place within the local community, so it’s here to stay! It might be novel, but it’s much more than a novelty.

Our cuddle door regulars include excited children who clamour to be able to come to see the pony before going to school. Some of our youngest regular visitors are becoming so hooked that their first words every morning are about ponies – ‘horsies’, ‘clip clop’, ‘neigh neighs’, and ‘Reggie horse’ being four examples from different toddlers recently, according to their parents. (And this, my friends, is how obsession with horses starts.)

At the other end of the age range are elderly visitors who often grew up with horses but have had no contact for many years. Some have dementia, and seeing the light in their eyes when they’re with horses again, and suddenly remembering old memories, is very special. Not everyone has a smartphone or a camera, but we have a polaroid camera at the ready so they can leave with a photo with the horse’s name on, as a souvenir.

Once you’ve experienced a connection with horses the feeling never leaves you. The velvet noses, the warm breath on a cold morning, and the kind eyes all have the power to connect, whether you are 18 months or 80 years old. And we love just being a witness to all of these moments at the cuddle door.